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How To Be Irish in Philly This Week

This is how you dress for the Burlington County parade.

The first parade of the season is the Burlington County St. Patrick’s Day Parade which marches through Mt. Holly on Saturday. There’s a heated tent in the township parking lot for the after-party (because it’s going to brrrr on Saturday) where you can hear Jamison Celtic Rock, the Broken Shillelaghs. Birmingham Six, the Paul Moore Band, the Shantys, Clancy’s Pistol, and other performers. Jim Logue, who has been organizing the parade for years, is its grand marshal this year.

If you’re in or near New Castle Delaware, the New Castle Historical Society will be recreating the atmosphere of an Irish Pub in the historic Buck Library at Buena Vista Mansion on Saturday night. Students at the William Penn Culinary Arts program will provide some authentic Irish fare (no Irish nachos!) and you’ll be entertained by the group Slyte of Hand, playing a host of traditional instruments and featuring Michele McCann, the 2013 winner of the Delaware Division of the Arts Emerging Folk Artists Fellowship. Proceeds from the evening benefit the historical nonprofit.

Also on Saturday night, the Gloucester County NJ AOH is throwing a St. Patrick’s Day party featuring the Broken Shillelaghs (who will be driving over from Mt. Holly for their second gig of the day). It takes place at the Richard Rossiter Memorial Hall in National Park, NJ.

And if you’re in Bucks County, the Bucks St. Patrick’s Day Committee is honoring this year’s parade grand marshal, State Senator Chuck McIlhinny Jr, at its annual Irish Ball at Kings Catherers in Bristol. Jamison Celtic Rock will be performing—also driving over from Mt. Holly for their second gig of the day. The Bucks parade is scheduled for March 15, starting at St. Joseph the Work Church in Levittown at 10:30 AM.

You’d think that would be plenty for one weekend, but no, there’s more. Also on Saturday, Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfetones will be playing at the Rising Sun VFW Post in Philadelphia and the First Highland Watch—bagpipes and rock ‘n roll—are taking the stage at Jimmy D’s in Folcroft.

On Sunday, Timlin and Kane are performing at the beautiful Glen Foerd on the Delaware on Grant Avenue in Philadelphia. Later this month, they’ll also be performing for members of the US Congress and the President in Washington, DC–more about that to come.

On Tuesday, the Sellersville Theatre will be alive with the sound of Claddagh, a music and dance extravaganza with a fusion of classic and modern styles.

On Friday, catch the Broken Shillelaghs at Molly Maguire’s Pub in Lansdale, but don’t stay out too late or you won’t be up and ready for Saturday’s “Running of the Micks,” the unusual pub crawl (with buses to keep everyone out of the drunk tank) that takes participants in a run up the Art Museum steps (and to a bunch of Irish pubs, starting with Finnigan’s Wake). That’s followed by McPatty’s Fest, a day of live music at McFaddens 3rd Street. Don’t shoot us—we’re only the messengers.

Next week will make this week look like a night at home, so don’t strain yourselves too much. There’s a lot more of March to go. Check out our calendar (which is changing daily) to see what’s going on. And while you’re at it, put your event on the calendar. Just go to the orange bar at the top of our home page, click on Irish events listing, and follow the instructions.

February 28, 2014 by Denise Foley

People

Putting the Fun in Fundraising

A couple of fun-raisers: Bob Hurst of the Hooligans and Frank Daly of Jamison.

A couple of fun-raisers: Bob Hurst of the Bogside Rogues and Frank Daly of Jamison.

Every year the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade has to raise money to pay for all the things most people don’t notice because they’re too busy looking at the floats, dancers, and bands– like police presence, port-a-potties, and bleachers. This year, they needed only one fundraiser–and a big one–at the new Fraternal of Police Lodge #5 on Caroline Road in Northeast Philadelphia.

Local Celtic rockers Luke Jardel, the Bogside Rogues, Jamison Celtic Rock, and folk singer Raymond Coleman provided the background–and often the foreground music–for the hundreds of people who made the huge hall seem crowded on Sunday afternoon, February 22. There was dancing, eating, raffle ticket-buying, and lots of dancing–both amateurs and the remarkable Celtic Flame Dancers.

But don’t take our word for it. We have pictures that prove people were having fun.

February 27, 2014 by Denise Foley

People

They Could Have Danced All Night

Genevieve Smith and Paul Welsh: Dancing Like a Star’s 2014 winners.

They danced like Gene Kelly to “Singing in the Rain,” like Travolta and Newton-John to “Grease,” and Peter Sellers and, well, the Pink Panther, to “The Pink Panther Theme.” In the end, Genevieve Smith and Paul Welsh were the winners of the 2014 Delco Gaels’ “Dancing Like a Star” fundraiser at Springfield Country Club on Friday night, February 21 with their “Great Gatsby” themed individual dance.

Two other couples, Siobhan Trainor and James Conboy and Kathleen Seward and Tom Farrelly, participated in the finalists’ dance-off.

Fox-29’s Jenaphr Frederick was host for the evening with music spun by DJ John McDaid. Money from the sold-out event will help fund the Delco Gaels, the largest Gaelic sports club in the region.

But what you really want is to see the photos. We took plenty. Check out Caine Donaghy and partner Charlotte Comasky pulling a Mary Poppins to “Singing in the Rain.”

View our photo essay here.

February 27, 2014 by Denise Foley

People

How to Be Irish in Philly This Week

Get ready–it’s almost that time again.

The events are starting to multiply as we inch toward March. You can get some St. Patrick’s Day practice this weekend when The Next Generation, the youngest trad performers in the area, appear at the Garden State Discovery Museum’s Irish Festival (on Sunday at 2 PM, though the festival runs both weekend days); The John Byrne Band appears at the new Brittingham’s in Lafayette Hill (Saturday); the amazing (this fits all of them) Brian Conway, Billy McComiskey, Brendan Dolan and Mary Courtney perform together at West Chester University (on Saturday night) along with local fiddler Alex Weir, dancer Josh Srour, and the Do Cairde Irish dancers; and Jamison Celtic Rock, the Bogside Rogues, Raymond Coleman, and the Irish Flame School of Irish Dance help raise money for the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade at the FOP Lodge 7C in Northeast Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon.

And that’s not all: Celtic Pride is appearing on Thursday evening at Washington Crossing Inn.

Or you can catch The Broken Shillelaghs at Schileen’s Pub in Westvill, NJ on Thursday night as well.

Or. . .you can catch the supergroup Solas at the Sellersville Theatre on Thursday night.

The Philadelphia Rose of Tralee Center is holding an information meeting for anyone interested in entering the competition to become Philadelphia’s next Rose of Tralee. It will take place on Thursday evening at The Radnor Hotel in Wayne, where the Rose of Tralee event is held every year. The Rose of Tralee is open to any young woman of Irish descent. The winner will compete in Ireland in the summer.

On Friday, three-time All Ireland concertina champion Caitlin Nic Gabhann will be joined by fiddler Ciaran O’Maonaigh, a former TG4 Young Musician of the Year, in a house concert in the Philadelphia area. For more information and location, email phillyceiligroup@gmail.com. These are two up and coming young Irish musicians who are worth seeing. Nic Gabhann is also an accomplished Irish dancer who performed in Riverdance.

And a big head’s up: The Burlington St. Patrick’s Day Parade is always the first one in our area, and it’s coming up in a week. Yes, on Saturday, March 1, there will be bands, pipers, dancers, and floats all heading down High Street in Mount Holly. It’s grown every year since we’ve been around (we’re heading into our eighth year of being Irish in Philly). You could top the day off be going to the Gloucester County AOH St. Patrick’s Day Party at 8 PM that evening with The Broken Shillelaghs, or hear Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfetones at the Rising Sun VFW Post 2819 on Martins Mill Road in Philadelphia, which starts at 8 PM.

Looking even further ahead. the “sashing” of the Grand Marshal of the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade–this year it’s Jim Murray, former GM of the Eagles and founder of Ronald McDonald House–takes place at a dinner on Thursday, March 13, at the Doubletree Hotel in Philadelphia. Contact Kathy McGee Burns, chairperson of the event, at mcgeeburns@aol.com or 215-872-1305 for tickets and more information.

Then, after this, all Irish breaks loose. More on that next week.

If you have a March concert, gig, party, performance, play, anything going on, please put it on our calendar. It’s easy to do yourself: Go to the orange bar at the top of our page, click on Irish Events Listing, and fill in the blanks. If you have trouble, give me a shout-out on our Facebook page or email me at denise.foley@comcast.net.

Keep checking our calendar for late-breaking events.

February 21, 2014 by Denise Foley

People

Economy and Immigration: Ireland’s Top Priorities

Irish Ambassador Anne Anderson with SAP US President Gregory McStravick.

Irish Ambassador to the US, Anne Anderson, in a speech to more than 400 people attending an awards program in Philadelphia on Thursday, illustrated the paradox of the Irish economic recovery. Called the European Union’s “bright spot,” Ireland’s economic growth has outpaced the rest of the Euro zone, its Moody’s rating has climbed from “junk” to investment grade, and Forbes Magazine recently called it the best place to do business in Europe.

But a 12 percent unemployment rate—a figure she admitted would be higher if young people weren’t still leaving Ireland in droves–still makes immigration reform in the US one of her top priorities, said Anderson at the Ambassador Awards at the Hyatt at the Bellevue, the premier event of the year of the Philadelphia-based Irish-American Business Chamber and Network.

She told a story of going home to Tipperary not long ago “where I went into the local pub for tea and sandwiches, and started talking to the barman. I asked him how things were and he told me it was great at Christmas, there had been a lot of life around the place until all the young people had gone back.” She asked him where they’d gone. “Australia,” he told her.

“They should have an opportunity to come here,” Anderson told the crowd, urging them to contact their local lawmakers to remind them that “this immigration issue has an Irish face.”

There are an estimated 50,000 undocumented Irish people in the US. “Most are employed, pay taxes and are good upstanding, god-fearing citizens,” said Anderson, who was Ireland’s permanent representative to the United Nations before replacing longtime Irish Ambassador Michael Collins nearly six months ago. “But they’re living in the shadows and I don’t have to tell you the human toll this takes—they’re unable to go back to Ireland for a terminally ill parent, a funeral, a wedding.”

The reason for the high number of Irish undocumented: It’s the unintended consequence of an immigration overhaul in the 1960s meant to end bias against immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. That left the Irish “with an infinitesimal share of green cards,” said Anderson.

Although several bills have been introduced in Congress to increase the number of green cards available to Irish citizens, immigration reform—like just about everything else in the US Congress—has been the victim of partisan skirmishes. There’s unlikely to be any movement in that direction unless some of the players change.

Anderson acknowledged that talking about Ireland’s recovery and at the same time pointing out the need to forge a new pathway for Irish immigrants to the US seems inconsistent. “We don’t want anyone forced out of Ireland,” she said. “But in the current circumstances [Ireland’s high unemployment rate] it’s a fact of life.”

Since many IABCN members do or want to do business in Ireland—like this year’s Ambassador’s Award winner SAP, the German multinational business software company with a US headquarters in Newtown Square and more than 1200 employees in three offices in Ireland—they’re no strangers to the facts of Irish life.

In fact, in his acceptance speech, SAP US President Gregory McStravick echoed Ambassador Anderson’s comment, citing Ireland’s highly educated populace and favorable business atmosphere, that “no one invests in Ireland for sentimental reasons.”

“We’re not doing it for sentimental reasons,” he told the crowd. “We’re not doing it because we’re good people, though we are. We’re doing it because it makes good sense for our business. There’s some very good talent in Ireland. . .and there are great benefits to doing business in Ireland.”

The Ambassador’s Award is one of three the IABCN gives out annually. Denis O’Brien, senior executive vice president of Exelon Corporation and CEO of Exelon Utilities (which includes PECO), was chosen to receive the Taoiseach Award, given to individuals of Irish descent who shows “exemplary leadership and compassion,” long before this year’s winter storms made this an “annum horribilis” for PECO.

Although more than 700,000 of its customers lost power–some for nearly a week—PECO got relatively good marks from most for its response: Thousands of PECO worker, putting in 16-hour days, with the help of more than 2,000 out-of-state electrical workers, restored power to all its customers in six days. It was the second worst storm in the company’s history.

Ann Claffey Baiada, RN, CRRN, director of Bayada Home Health Care, received the Uachtaran Award, given yearly to people of Irish descent who make “significant civic, cultural, or social contributions to the United States or Ireland, particularly contributions to the Irish diaspora.”

Baiada, who traces her family’s roots to County Donegal, grew up in a strongly Irish community in Germantown where, she said, “we had many mothers and you didn’t dare cross any of them.” It was also a community where she said everyone learned the important lessons, knowing right from wrong and to “take care of each other.”

The Irish American Business Chamber and Network is a nonprofit organization that promotes development of economic and education partnerships between the US, Ireland, and Northern Ireland.

View more photos from the event here.

February 21, 2014 by Denise Foley

News, People

Being Cool to His Schools

Michael Bradley

As if he didn’t already have enough to do, Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day parade director Michael Bradley, Jr., is taking on a daunting new assignment. He is the chairman of a relatively new board that will oversee all 23 Catholic schools in Delaware County.

Bradley holds leadership positions in a number of organizations, including Penn State’s Board of Advisers. He also happens to be president of a family-owned flooring and wall protection company.

Busy or not, Bradley doesn’t mind a bit. In fact, he has been lobbying for a role in county schools ever since a Blue Ribbon Commission issued a report in January 2012 calling for some predictably unpopular choices. Faced with a 38 percent drop in enrollment and a staggering $6 million deficit, the commission ordered the closure of 45 of the Archdiocese’s 156 elementary schools and four of 17 high schools.

Twenty-four elementary schools appealed, and 18 earned a reprieve. All four high schools also were spared the chopping block thanks to millions of dollars in pledges and donations.

Nevertheless, parents and communities reacted with alarm, and no small degree of anger, to the commission’s findings.

“They were closing all of these schools,” he says. “The main thing I told them is, you can’t have one group in charge. I was badgering them about it enough so that they looked at it. I was not the only one, but I was at the forefront of the screaming. They agreed with me. They came up with a plan to name advisory boards to run the counties. People just want to be heard. Bringing it all down into more manageable units is better.”

In Bradley’s case, it was never a question of “be careful what you wish for.” A leadership role on the Delaware County advisory board was exactly what he wanted.

“It’s a challenge, and a really neat thing,” he says. “I find it rewarding to build things up from scratch—rather than complain about it, to come up with solutions. I love Catholic education. I live Catholic education. I enjoy the heck out of it because I enjoy the kids.”

Bradley says the immediate plan is to put the schools on more of a business footing, and to unite them in the quest for financial stability and higher enrollment. Stronger involvement on the part of the business community is also a key element.

“Every school has been left on its own. They weren’t sharing information. That’s crazy. It’s important to share, and give them direction on how to raise money. There’s government money out there for them. It’s available.”

Bradley harbors no illusions that every Delaware County school will survive. There are some tough decisions ahead. But for now—and probably long into the future, knowing Bradley—the advisory board is accenting the positive. Rather than talking about which school is going to close, he says, the focus now remains on how to keep them open.

It’s a tough job, but in the end, each school has to solve two problems. “They need money, and they need kids,” Bradley says. “That’s it. You solve those problems, and all the other problems solve themselves.”

February 14, 2014 by Jeff Meade

How to Be Irish in Philly, Music, News, People

How to Be Irish in Philly This Week

Timlin and Kane

This Sunday, join Gerry Timlin and Tom Kane and a host of other Irish musicians, including All-Ireland fiddler Haley Richardson and her guitarist brother Dylan, for a special concert at Sacred Heart Church in Camden. This annual “Celtic Spring Concert” raises money for The Heart of Camden, a nonprofit that provides homeownership opportunities to people who live in the waterfront area of Camden. It is a ministry of Sacred Heart Church. The late Sister Peg Hynes, a well-known figure in the Irish community, was its executive director for many years.

This Wednesday marks the beginning of a run of Paul Meade and David Parnell’s play, Trousers, the story of two 30-something Dublin men who reminisce about the summer they spent working as busboys in New York, at the Off Broad Street Theater at First Baptist Church in Philadelphia. It’s a production of the Inis Nua Theatre Company.

Martin McDonagh’s dark and comic play, “The Pillowman,” continues its run through February 8 at the Luna Theater in Philadelphia.

Also on Wednesday, it’s Irish Heritage Night at the 76ers. Appropriately, they’re playing the Boston Celtics—an age-old rivalry. If you use the promotional code IRISH when ordering tickets, you get special ticket prices. It all happens at Wells Fargo Stadium on South Broad Street in the city.

Wednesday also marks the start of a special lecture series—with music—by Tyrone-born musician Gerry Timlin, at McCarthy’s at Donegal Square in Bethlehem. Timlin will talk about modern Irish history and song—starting in the 15th century. Gerry is a fine singer and musician, but most importantly, a very funny man, so don’t expect dry lectures in between song stylings. It’ a six-week series that runs through March 19 ad is limited to only 40 participants.

On Thursday, catch Slainte—Frank Daly and CJ Mills from Jamison Celtic Rock—at Con Murphy’s on the Parkway in Center City.

On Friday, the supergroup from Donegal, Clannad, featuring Moya Brennan, will be in concert at the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg, and on the following evening at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood, NJ.

Also on Friday night: Galway Guild is at Tir na Nog in Trenton, NJ, and Jamison Celtic Rock is at Curran’s in Tacony. Jamison is also doing a big fundraiser on Sunday at Archbishop Ryan High School in northeast Philadelphia.

Coming up: The Scottish & Irish Midwinter Fest, with an astounding lineup as usual, will be in King of Prussia on Valentine’s Day weekend. Bring your honey and stay for all three days. Donal Clancy, carrying on the musical tradition of his father and uncles, The Clancy Brothers, will be at Coatesville Cultural Center on February 17 and the first of the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade fundraisers is scheduled for February 23. And some interesting Irish acts are coming to the World Café Live. Check out our calendar for more details.

January 31, 2014 by Denise Foley

News, People

2014 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Ring of Honor Chosen

Tom Walsh, second from left, and Sarah Walsh, far right, will march in the parade

The Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association has announced its 2014 Ring of Honor. Traditionally, the president of the organization—this year, Bob Gessler–chooses the Ring of Honor, who march in the parade which will be on Sunday, March 16.

This year’s Ring includes:

Rev. Edward Brady, pastor, St. Anne’s RC Church, chaplain for the Irish Memorial and several other Irish organizations

Father Ed Brady

Susan Campbell, executive director of Ronald McDonald House, founded by Grand Marshal Jim Murray 40 years ago

Ed and Emily Gallagher. The late Ed Gallagher was a longtime member of the executive committee of the St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association

Alana Barry-McCloskey, marketing coordinator for the Irish American Business Chamber and Network board member of Irish Network-Philadelphia

Kevin McCloskey, wounded Afghanistan War vet from Mayfair

Dr. James Murphy, founder of Villanova University’s Irish Studies Program

Mark O’Connor, owner of the Irish Pub and co-founder of the Tour-de-Shore charity

Kathy Orr, meteorologist at CBS3 and co-host of the station’s parade coverage for many years

CBS3 meteorologist Kathy Orr

Becky Puchalski- Member LAOH 61- tireless worker for the homeless, those in need and vets

Joe Shay Stivala, writer for The Philadelphia Record

Tom and Sarah Walsh. He’s manager of the Commodore Barry Club and both are involved in the Irish Center senior luncheons, GAA Games, and a number of other Irish groups.

January 31, 2014 by Denise Foley

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